All posts in People with disabilities

Despite being over 70, our client “Sandra” is doing everything humanly possible to return home…including spackling, painting and completing other minor repairs herself. Her home, which flooded during Sandy and Jonas, is nearing the end of the elevation process, but her husband Bob’s health has deteriorated rapidly. Due to a disability, he won’t able to climb the new stairs to get into his elevated home; he needs a vertical platform lift to enter his own home. Without the $21,000 needed to add the lift, Sandra and Bob will not be able to return home together.

32% of households we assist have an individual with a disability. Donate today so we can continue to help families like Sandra’s.

Frank and Carla were required to elevate their property, but, due to disabilities, both are finding it extremely difficult to access their home. Frank sustained injuries during his career as an Atlantic City Police Officer and Army Veteran while his wife, Carla, is beginning to lose her sight. They just had their final inspection and are no longer part of the RREM program. But they still require a wheelchair lift. This lift, which costs $22,000, is necessary for Frank and Carla to remain functionally independent.

23% of households we assist have at least one veteran. Please donate today so we can continue helping people like Frank and Carla.

Sally has almost finished her project. She is so close. With the help of her disaster case manager, the state RREM grant, and some charitable donations, she has finished repairing and elevating her flood damaged home. The only obstacle left is to get into the house, which is now eleven feet in the air and accessible only by stairs that Sally can’t climb due to a disability. She’ll need an electric lift to get back into her repaired home. With the funds her DCM has been able to gather for her, Sally is only $3,000 away from getting the lift to go home.

George, a disabled senior citizen from Lavallette, lost all of his belongings when Superstorm Sandy substantially damaged his home in 2012. Unfortunately, initial attempts to rebuild were stalled when a contractor fraudulently took $36,000 from George and never did any work. This contractor was eventually convicted but passed away before restitution could be made. Luckily, George was able to obtain a new contractor and some additional funding through the efforts of the non-profit community. He will finally be able to move back home, towards the end of June. Now George needs $3,000 for home furnishings to be completely recovered from Superstorm Sandy.

The widow of a veteran and her wheel chair bound adult son came to OCLTRG when they realized the structural integrity of their home and bulkhead were compromised during Superstorm Sandy. They feared the water the bulkhead kept at bay would cause even more damage if it were not immediately repaired.

OCLTRG was able to raise 40,000 dollars, through the Adopt-A-Family program, to keep the home safe from further damage. This enabled them to begin the rebuilding process but also raised a new challenge. They could not reside in the house during construction. Thankfully, the OCLTRG was able to procure funds for two “long-stay hotel rooms” that were best suited for the specific needs of mother and son. “It brings me tears of joy to work with such incredible people,” says her son. “Thank you.”

Donate today so we can continue to help people like Rick and his mother!